Waqar Younis vs. Glenn McGrath vs. Shoaib Akhtar

[GameGod]

I have seen people debate many times, and generally agree, that in his peak form Waqar Younis was a superior bowler to Wasim Akram (although the latter is rated higher because of Waqar's short peak). It occurs to me that during the early stages of his career, Shoaib Akhtar was also a fabulous bowler who lost a lot of steam and skill and therefore lost a lot of potential respect.

What do you think the rankings are between these three bowlers - Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar and Glenn McGrath - if all three were playing at their peak form in their primes? And, would you rate the person who you place as #1 in this list as better than any other pace bowler of all-time at their peak?

[Jono]

McGrath >> Waqar >>>>>>> Shoaib generally.

However at their peak/prime Waqar would probably win.

[GameGod]

Originally Posted by Jono

McGrath >> Waqar >>>>>>> Shoaib generally.

However at their peak/prime Waqar would probably win.

Yeah, I was talking about their primes. I wouldn't throw Shoaib into the same sentence as McGrath or Younis as regards their general careers.

Would you say that Waqar at his peak/prime would be the best pace bowler of all-time?

[Teja.]

At their respective peaks, Waqar obvs.

Overall, Waqar by a negligible margin over McGrath.

[Debris]

How long are you talking about when you say peak? A day, a month, a year?

[Teja.]

Originally Posted by Debris

How long are you talking about when you say peak? A day, a month, a year?

2-4 years, for me.

[vcs]

Yeah, peaks are deceptive things and fairly meaningless. It could be argued that Mendis at his peak tied into knots an all-time great batting lineup against spin. Others would say he was worked out after that.

TBF however, Waqar's peak is generally acknowledged as a pretty lengthy and special one.. still, I'd probably only put him level with McGrath who barely had even one poor Test series in his long and distinguished career.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by Debris

How long are you talking about when you say peak? A day, a month, a year?

Yeah exactly; I don't like dealing in peaks because I just never know when it stop narrowing it down. If someone was picked too early or retired too late I don't mind excluding parts of their career, but if you're just going to narrow it down to two or three years, why stop there? You could make an argument to suggest that Michael Vaughan's peak as a bowler was greater than Jason Gillespie's because the best ball he ever bowled was better than the best ball Gillespie ever bowled. True as that might be, it's fairly irrelevant when comparing them as bowlers.

[Migara]

Originally Posted by Debris

How long are you talking about when you say peak? A day, a month, a year?

What ever that suits your argument

[Cevno]

At his peak if we are only talking about Akthar was devastating.

Just look at this spell-

YouTube - World's ever Fastest Bowler in History of Cricket

His Record from 2001 to 2005 is devastating and that too in one of the major periods of batsmen Domination.

[taipan1]

Akthar does not deserve to be mentioned in the same thread as the other two.

[Cevno]

But due to longevity Mcgrath wins this for me ,ahead of Waqar and Akthar in that order.

He was consistent over a longer period while bith Akthar and Waqar had probably more lethal peaks.

[Sir Alex]

Originally Posted by Cevno

But due to longevity Mcgrath wins this for me ,ahead of Waqar and Akthar in that order.

He was consistent over a longer period while bith Akthar and Waqar had probably more lethal peaks.

This.

Akthar could crack open any batting lineup in the world at his peak. Waqar was brilliant in his early years.

[Noble One]

Maybe the key question is, when was McGrath at his absolute peak? I find it hard to pick out a single season from his entire career he was that consistent.

[Streetwise]

Originally Posted by Debris

How long are you talking about when you say peak? A day, a month, a year?

Depends which bowler you want to claim has the better peak.